diff --git a/usr.sbin/daemon/daemon.8 b/usr.sbin/daemon/daemon.8
index 7dde24b46c7a..d1d4e357ebdf 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/daemon/daemon.8
+++ b/usr.sbin/daemon/daemon.8
@@ -61,8 +61,9 @@ using the
 functionality.
 If the
 .Fl u
-option is used, the directory to contain the pidfile must be writable
-by the specified user.
+option is used, either the pidfile needs to have been pre-created
+with appropriate ownership and permissions, or the directory to contain
+the pidfile must be writable by the specified user.
 Note, that the file will be created shortly before the process is
 actually executed, and will remain after the process exits (although
 it will be removed if the execution fails).